Toronto’s Vector Institute officially opens

Toronto’s Vector Institute officially opens

University Professor Geoffrey Hinton of the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science with graduate students Ilya Sutskever (left) and Alex Krizhevsky (right). In 2012, Google acquired their startup company for its research on deep neural networks, which involves helping machines understand context.

University Professor Geoffrey Hinton of the University of Toronto's Department of Computer Science with graduate students Ilya Sutskever (left) and Alex Krizhevsky (right). In 2012, Google acquired their startup company for its research on deep neural networks, which involves helping machines understand context.

With the creation of the Toronto-based Vector Institute, Ontario and Canada are leading in the booming field of artificial intelligence, with U of T researchers at the forefront.

Posted on
June 23, 2017

With the creation of the Toronto-based Vector Institute, Ontario and Canada are choosing to lead in the booming field of artificial intelligence, said Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne on March 30.

“We can own this space. This is who we are,” she told a crowded room filled with University of Toronto researchers, officials from all three levels of government and top Canadian companies who are supporting Vector.

The independent institute aims to produce more deep learning grads than any other institution in the world – as part of an effort to produce, attract and retain top talent. It will also build on the existing expertise of the globally renowned deep learning team at U of T.

The applications and implications of this ground-breaking research could be seen in demonstrations on self-driving vehicle technology by Raquel Urtasun, a U of T computer science associate professor, as well as U of T startup Deep Genomics.

In addition to $50 million in provincial support, Vector will also receive $40 million to $50 million as part of the Government of Canada’s Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau said. The $125-million strategy is also supporting similar institutes in Montreal and Edmonton.

“We are home to some of the top talent when it comes to artificial intelligence,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at an event earlier in the day in Brampton. “We can’t afford to lose that competitive advantage, and all the good jobs that come along with it.”

More than 30 companies have also committed a combined total of more than $80 million over 10 years to support the Vector Institute, reflecting the transformational potential of deep learning and machine learning in fields as diverse as health care, finance, insurance, education, retail, advanced manufacturing, construction and transportation.

“What an amazing moment,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “The governments of Ontario and Canada and our industry partners deserve huge credit for the visionary leadership represented in today’s announcement. On behalf of the University of Toronto, and our sister universities: Thank you for enabling us to seize this incredibly exciting opportunity.”

Using his time at the podium, Geoffrey Hinton, a U of T University Professor Emeritus in computer science and Vector’s new chief scientific adviser, deviated from the usual prepared remarks to deliver a pithy TED Talk-like PowerPoint on how neural networks and deep learning work.

Toronto Mayor John Tory said the city’s diversity and livability will help attract the talent Vector and the AI industry in Canada needs to grow and prosper. The Vector Institute is “one more thing putting us on the map,” he said. “I want us to be leaders. I want us to compete. I want us to be the home of disruptors!”